The Norman transporter Malherbe acquired the Étoile Routière group last December. An operation which allows it to consolidate its assets in refrigerated transport for the agri-food industry in Pays de la Loire.
“The Malherbe group aims to be an active player in the company takeover market. For ten years, we have favored the buyout of beneficiary companies in the agri-food sector and/or located in areas geographical areas where we are not present“, introduces its general manager Noël Samson who announces having signed, on December 15, the takeover of the Étoile Routière group (La Flèche) specializing in distribution and the grouping of batches under controlled temperature.
This operation comes after the acquisition of Toulousain LM Trans Fret in April 2022 then of Normatrans, located in Calvados, three months later. “The former managers and shareholders, Isabelle Gayet who is preparing to retire and her brother Frédéric Raine [they took over this group created in 1949 in the early 2000s] will < strong>provide support for six to twelve monthsas advisors“, indicates the buyer.
Strengthening in the agri-food sector
This new external growth operation is an opportunity for the Norman group located in Rots, stronglyestablished throughout the western half of France particularly in Normandy, Brittany and the Paris region, to strengthen its presence in the Pays de la Loire, particularly in Sarthe, which benefits from “a very interesting geographical positioning”.
The opportunity also tostrengthen its activities in the agri-food sector – 65% of its turnover (CA) – knowing that the customer portfolio of the Étoile Routière group (150 regular customers – those appearing in the top 30 generate 70 to 75% of turnover) is made up of 95% agri-food manufacturers.